Zhoya Collects Three Gold at Australian All Schools Championships

Western Australian teen track and field talent Sasha Zhoya has broken a national record in the 110m hurdles as part of a triple gold medal winning campaign at the Australian All Schools Championships in Adelaide.

The 15 year-old Coolbellup resident won the U18 110m hurdles in a new national benchmark of 13.24secs, which also saw him record the equal sixth fastest time on the planet for U18 boys.

Seeing that he’d taken .04 off the previous Australian mark, Zhoya was relieved.

“I was chasing it,” he admitted. “At the start of the season I had a couple of good shots at it and it didn’t manage to happen but I’m happy that I got it today.”

Following the medal presentation, Zhoya was straight back into the call room ahead of the under 16 boys pole vault. Eying a Youth Olympic Games qualifying mark (4.85), he waited an hour and a half before entering the competition at 4.20m.

After clearing his opening height, Zhoya then three attempts at 4.35m before comfortably getting over 4.50 and 4.60, which was his best for the day earning another gold medal, but short the of qualifying mark he’d hoped for.

His three attempts at 4.70 all collected the bar. The U15 world best record holder doesn’t think it’s far off though.

“I’m on a short approach, six steps, so it’s good for my technique,” he explained. “When I move back to eight I will definitely get that qualifier. My coach Alex Parnov said I have to hit 4.75 to go to back to eight so hopefully I can get it soon.”

Zhoya picked up a third gold medal after running clear in the boys U16 200m final, clocking 21.54 for victory ahead two NSW competitors in second and third.

He also received a silver medal after running the closing leg for WA in the U16 boys 4x100m relay.